Writing for Vaudeville eBook

DIAGRAM VI.—­KITCHEN SET No. 1

This arrangement of a Kitchen Set makes use of three
doors, emphasizing the double doors in the centre
of rear wall, which open out on an interior backing
or a wood or garden drop. In this and the following
setting a small window can be fitted into the upper
half of either of the single doors.

DIAGRAM VII.—­KITCHEN SET No. 2

Two doors only are used in this setting; the double
doors, in the same relative position as in the preceding
arrangement, open out on a wood or landscape backing.
The fireplace is brought out on stage-right.
The single door on stage-left opens on an interior
backing.

DIAGRAM VIII.—­WOOD OR GARDEN SET

Many theatres have two sets of Exterior wings—­one
of Wood Wings and one of Garden Wings. In some
houses the Wood Wings are used with the Garden Drop,
set vases and balustrades being used to produce the
garden effect, as shown here. Some theatres also
have a Set House and Set Cottage, which may be placed
on either side of the stage; each has a practical
door and a practical window. With the Set House
and Set Tree slight variations of exterior settings
may be contrived.

4. Properties

In the argot of the stage the word “property”
or “prop” means any article—­aside
from scenery—­necessary for the proper mounting
or presentation of a play. A property may be
a set of furniture, a rug, a pair of portieres, a
picture for the wall, a telephone, a kitchen range
or a stew-pan—­indeed, anything a tall that
is not scenery, although serving to complete the effect
and illusion of a scene.

Furniture is usually of only two kinds in a
vaudeville playhouse. There is a set of parlor
furniture to go with the parlor set and a set of kitchen
furniture to furnish the kitchen set. But, while
these are all that are at the immediate command of
the property-man, he is usually permitted to exchange
tickets for the theatre with any dealer willing to
lend needed sets of furniture, such as a desk or other
office equipment specially required for the use of
an act.

In this way the sets of furniture in the property
room may be expanded with temporary additions into
combinations of infinite variety. But, it is
wise not to ask for anything out of the ordinary,
for many theatre owners frown upon bills for hauling,
even though the rent of the furniture may be only a
pair of seats.

For the same reason, it is unwise to specify in the
property-list—­ which is a printed list
of the properties each act requires—­anything
in the way of rugs that is unusual. Though some
theatres have more than two kinds of rugs, the white
bear rug and the carpet rug are the most common.
It is also unwise to ask for pictures to hang on
the walls. If a picture is required, one is usually
supplied set upon an easel.